Mark Webster stared defeat in the face before seeing off John Henderson and Wes Newton defeated John Part.

Dutch superstar van Gerwen, last year’s beaten finalist at Alexandra Palace, continued his bid to win the £250,000 first prize this time around with a 4-1 win over McDine.

The Geordie had defeated Wayne Jones in the first round and shared the opening two sets with van Gerwen – but a fist-pump to mock his opponent’s celebration after levelling the game by hitting two 11-darters and a 14-dart finish in the second set only served to fire up the number two seed.

Van Gerwen took the third and fourth sets without reply, including back-to-back 180s in the last of six successive legs he won, before coming from 2-0 down in the next to book his last 16 spot.

“I played really well in patches, but there is still a lot of improvement required,” said van Gerwen, the 6/4 tournament favourite with sponsors Ladbrokes.

“I need to play better in my next game against Gary and be more consistent, but it’s going to be a cracker.

“We’re both quite fast players, we like to play each other and it’s important for both of us. It’s a good feeling to still be involved going into Christmas and I’ll enjoy the break and come back better on Sunday.”

Welsh star Webster, the 2008 Lakeside Champion, continued his renaissance with a gutsy performance as he fought back from the brink of defeat to edge past John Henderson in a seventh set tie-break.

Number 26 seed Webster, a two-time Alexandra Palace semi-finalist, won two of the first three sets before Henderson took both the fourth and fifth sets 3-1 to move into the ascendancy.

Henderson – who knocked out world number seven Dave Chisnall in the first round – also led 2-1 in the sixth set, but crucially missed three match darts at double top as Webster levelled and then took the set’s decider to take the game into a final set.

Henderson again moved to the brink of victory at 2-1 and 3-2 up in the deciding set, hitting a 120 finish in moving to the brink of victory, but Webster levelled, broke throw and then took out 108 for a fifth ton-plus finish as he completed the fightback.

“It’s a massive win for me and I’m so pleased,” said Webster. “I need to climb up the rankings and I need wins like that – I’m still in the tournament and hopefully I can push on in the next round.

“I thought I was dead and buried and John will probably wonder how that got away from him. I felt he was going to hit the winning double, but thankfully he missed.

“Match darts are the hardest things in the world, I know that, but thankfully he missed them and I took them out. Thankfully I took a few ton-plus finishes out but I was relaxed and just wanted to give myself a chance.

“To be still in the tournament at Christmas is a bonus, and I’ll be confident and raring to go on the 27th. It’s a massive test and Raymond’s a great player, and I’m going to make sure he’s in a game.”

Wes Newton secured easier passage to the last 16, seeing off three-time World Champion John Part in straight sets to set up a clash with Robert Thornton after Christmas.

The number eight seed made a fine start to win the first set without reply and took the second 3-1 before Part hit back to lead 2-1 in the third, only for Newton to level with a 111 checkout and punish two missed doubles for the set from the Canadian to move 3-0 up.

Part also led in the fourth, but Newton levelled with a 119 finish and took out 94 to lead 2-1 before punishing more misses from the 2008 champion to seal victory.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for John but he wasn’t on his game today and I took advantage and got the job done,” said Newton, who now meets Robert Thornton. “It wasn’t awesome but it was a good game and there’s hopefully a lot more to come from me.

“A 92 average is okay, it’s not setting the world on fire but I can’t ask for any more than a 4-0 win. I finished well and I’ve got to be happy and take the positives out of that.

“I’ve put in two solid performances, I’m getting better with each round and I’ve got a good chance – as much chance as anyone else.”

The second round continues on Monday night with three further matches, including the clash between Adrian Lewis – the 2011 and 2012 champion and 9/4 second favourite – and quick-throwing Dutchman Vincent van der Voort.

Three-time semi-finalist James Wade, the number six seed, meets Andy Smith and another player with experience in the last four at Alexandra Palace, Mervyn King, takes on World Youth Championship runner-up Ricky Evans, who knocked out Ronnie Baxter in the first round.

MATCH INFORMATION
WES NEWTON 4-0 JOHN PART
(3-0, 3-1, 3-2, 3-1)
WES NEWTON enjoyed comfortable passage through to the third round of the 2014 Ladbrokes World Darts Championship with a 4-0 victory over three-time World Champion John Part.

Newton won six of the first seven legs to establish a two-set lead before edging the third set in a deciding leg, after Part failed with two opportunities to reduce the deficit.

After dropping the first leg of the fourth, Newton reeled off three legs in a row, featuring finishes of 119 and 94, to set up a last 16 tie against Scotland’s Robert Thornton.

“I didn’t play brilliantly tonight, but I took out some really good finishes when John was waiting on a double and I think that demoralised him,” said the world number eight.

“Not many of the pundits have mentioned me as a contender for this title but I’ve reached a few major finals and have vast experience on the big stage, so I feel I’ve got a real chance.”

Newton won the opener comfortably by a 3-0 margin, with the set completed by a fantastic 11-darter, before taking the second set for the loss of just one leg, which included finishes of 82 and 81 with Part waiting on double 18 on both occasions.

Part, who overcame Mareno Michels in his opening match nine days earlier, improved his game in the third set as he moved 2-1 up with a break of throw in the third leg by hitting double seven.

Newton cancelled out that advantage with a 111 finish, before edging the set in the deciding leg after Part missed two shots at double top to reduce the deficit.

Part won the first leg of set four before Newton hit a 119 finish to draw level, followed by a 94 finish to break throw.

The fourth leg saw Newton miss four opportunities to win the match, but Part failed with three attempts to keep the game alive to allow the Fleetwood ace to close out the game on double three.

Match Information
First Set
1-0 – Newton hits double 16 to take out a 65 finish.
2-0 – The Fleetwood breaks the Canadian’s throw on double five.
3-0 – Newton hits a brilliant 11-darter, which features a maximum, to win the set.

Second Set
0-1 – Part wins his first leg of the game courtesy of a two-dart 76 finish.
1-1 – Both players post 180s before Newton takes out an 82 finish, on double top, with Part waiting on 36.
2-1 – Newton hits another maximum before breaking Part’s throw by taking out 81, with his opponent waiting on double 18 for the second leg running.
3-1 – Newton misses double 12 for a 144 checkout, but returns to hit the same double and leave Part in trouble.

Third Set
1-0 – Newton wins a fourth leg in a row thanks to an accurate attempt at double 16.
1-1 – Part hits double eight for a 14-darter to win just his second leg of the match.
1-2 – Newton records a fourth 180 in between consecutive 140s from Part. Newton though, misses three chances to hold throw and Part takes advantage by hitting double seven.
2-2 – The world number eight breaks back immediately as he takes out a 111 finish.
3-2 – Newton misses double five for a 130 checkout to win the set, but Part fails with two attempts at double top to reduce the deficit to allow his opponent back in on double five to edge the leg and pull further clear of the Canadian star.

Fourth Set
0-1 – Part hits double six to hold throw and made a positive start to the set.
1-1 – The Canadian hits a 180 only for Newton to hit the bullseye for a 119 finish.
2-1 – Newton hits double for a 94 finish to break Part’s throw.
3-1 – Newton is unable to land four chances to win the match, but Part fails with three attempts at doubles to allow Newton to close out the game on double three.

MARK WEBSTER 4-3 JOHN HENDERSON
(3-1, 2-3, 3-0, 1-3, 1-3, 3-2, 5-3)
MARK WEBSTER came from 3-2 down and survived three missed for the match from John Henderson to edge through to the last 16 of the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.

Henderson, who knocked out World Grand Prix runner-up Dave Chisnall in the first round, looked on course to claim another big name as he took on the former Lakeside Champion.

However, the Scot was left to rue three missed opportunities at double top for a 4-2 win as he fell to defeat in a final set tie-break.

After dropping the first leg of the game, Webster won the next three in a run which featured a 108 finish and a 14-dart finish to wrap up the set.

Webster was 2-1 up in the second set before Henderson levelled on double ten and then took out an excellent 105 finish in the deciding leg to square the game.

Webster produced a run of three straight legs to win the third set, culminating in a 105 finish of his own, before making a positive start to set four with a two-dart 80 checkout.

However, Henderson stopped the Welshman’s run and won the next two legs on double five, before a two-dart 96 finish gave the Scot the set, to level the match at two apiece.

Henderson moved 2-0 up in the fifth set, in a run which included a nine-dart opportunity in the second leg as he hit seven consecutive treble 20s.

His hopes of achieving the magical feat were ended as he missed the treble 19 to end hopes of completing a 141 checkout, but the leg was won in 11-darts to give the world number 48 his fifth leg in a row.

Webster stopped the rot with a fantastic 157 checkout to win the third leg, but the fourth fell the way of Henderson as moved 3-2 up in the match.

Henderson then led the sixth set 2-1 to move a leg away from victory, but the next leg saw him punished for three missed darts at double top to win the game, as Webster kept his hopes alive on double two.

Webster then hit double ten to win the decider and force a final set, before breaking Henderson’s throw to take an early advantage in the decider.

Henderson hit back to take the next two legs and move a leg away from victory once again, before Webster converted an excellent 114 finish in the fourth with his opponent waiting on a two-darter for the match.

The next two legs were shared before Webster hit double top to break throw and lead 4-3, before he then completed his comeback with a 108 finish for the match.

“I thought I was dead and buried and John probably deserved to win after giving himself a chance for the match”, said the 30-year-old Welshman, who hit five ton-plus finishes during the contest.

“I felt really good early on and was playing some really good stuff, but John kept digging in and developed a winning opportunity for himself.

“I’ve had some luck tonight but I feel as though I deserve that after going through a barren 18 months or so where I’ve lost a number of close games.”

Match Information
First Set
1-0 – Henderson hits a 180 and takes out double top at hte first attempt, after Webster misses three shots at doubles.
1-1 – Webster draws level as he hits double top for a 108 finish.
1-2 – Henderson misses double 16 for a 98 finish, and Webster breaks throw on double six.
1-3 – Webster lands double ten for an impressive 14-darter to take an early lead.

Second Set
0-1 – Webster kicks-off the leg with scores of 180 and 140, before taking out a 68 finish on double five.
1-1 – Henderson hits double 12 for a 15-darter, defying another 180 from his opponent.
1-2 – Webster is just off-target on the bullseye for a 170 checkout, but returns to hit double 12 after Henderson misses two chances to break throw.
2-2 – The Scot hits double ten to force a deciding leg.
3-2 – Henderson levels the match as he takes out a 105 finish, on double top, with Webster waiting on 95.

Third Set
0-1 – Webster hits a third 180 before breaking throw on double three.
0-2 – The Welshman hits a 64 finish in a leg that featured another maximum.
0-3 – Webster makes Henderson pay for two missed darts at doubles as he converts an excellent 105 finish.

Fourth Set
0-1 – Webster continues the fine finishing as he hits a two-dart 80 checkout.
1-1 – Henderson lands double five to level, after the Scotsman recorded a third 180.
2-1 – Henderson hits double five for the second leg running to break Webster’s throw.
3-1 – The world number 48 hits a fifth 180 before hitting a clinical two-dart 96 finish to level the game for a second time.

Fifth Set
1-0 – Henderson hits double one to hold throw, having missed five previous opportunities to win the leg.
2-0 – The Scot starts the leg brilliantly with back-to-back 180s and successfully hits a seventh treble 20, but fails to land the treble 19 to continue the 141 combination – although he returns to hit double top for an 11-dart finish to break throw.
2-1 – Webster responds superbly as he hits a maximum, followed by a 157 checkout.
3-1 – Henderson takes out a 68 finish to complete a 15-darter and move a set away from victory.

Sixth Set
0-1 – Webster holds throw with a 76 finish.
1-1 – Henderson hits double top after the Welshman misses his attempt at the bullseye for a break of throw.
2-1 – Three missed darts at double 16 from Henderson are not punished by Webster, who fails with two attempts at double ten, allowing his opponent to return and hit double 16.
2-2 – The tension shows in both players as Webster misses three darts at doubles before Henderson does exactly the same with three shots at double top to win the match going begging as the left-hander keeps his hopes alive by hitting double two.
2-3 – Webster hits double ten to force a deciding set.

Seventh Set
0-1 – Webster hits double top to win the opening leg against the darts.
1-1 – Henderson hits double eight with an accurate third dart to take out a 74 finish and break back.
2-1 – Henderson takes out an 82 finish to move a leg away from victory for a second time.
2-2 – Webster takes out an excellent 114 checkout under pressure, with his opponent waiting on 100 for the match.
3-2 – Henderson holds throw with a 120 checkout to edge ahead once again.
3-3 – Webster hits double top with his opponent waiting on 32 for the match.
3-4 – Henderson misses a dart at double top and is made to pay for the error as Webster hits the same double to break throw and move in front.
3-5 – The Scotsman kicks off the leg with scores of 134 and 140, but fails to build on that as Webster posts a 180 and follows that up with a 108 checkout to end a thrilling contest.

After sharing the game’s opening two sets, the Dutch superstar won nine of the next 11 legs – hitting a total of 11 maximums – to power past the former Grand Slam of Darts semi-finalist.

“I played really well in patches tonight, but there is still a lot of improvement required,” said van Gerwen, the 6/4 tournament favourite with sponsors Ladbrokes.

“I need to play better in my next game against Gary and be more consistent. He has reached a World Championship final before and has looked very good in this tournament so far.

“It’s a good feeling to still be involved going into Christmas. I’ll enjoy the break and then come back better on Sunday.”

Van Gerwen started confidently as he took the first set without reply in a run which culminated in a superb 11-dart-finish as he drew first blood.

The second set proved to be an outstanding one from both players, as seven 180s were hit by the pair, including four by McDine as he went on to take the set in the deciding leg on double top.

Van Gerwen, though, romped through the third set without reply from his opponent, which included a 12-darter, and a 118 checkout, and the fourth followed a similar pattern, as the recent Players Championship Finals winner stretched his run of winning legs to six in a row.

McDine battled hard and took the opening two legs of the fifth set, before the number two seed hit back to take the next two and move a leg away from victory.

The deciding leg saw McDine waste two chances to win the set and keep the game alive, and van Gerwen ended proceedings with a 64 finish on double top.

Match Information
First Set
1-0 – van Gerwen holds throw on double eight, after McDine misses double 16 for a 99 finish.
2-0 – The Dutch ace hits double eight at the first attempt to break his opponent’s throw.
2-1 – van Gerwen misses several opportunities to win the set, and McDine manages to hit double 18 with his third dart.
3-1 – The world number two hits a 180 in a superb 11-darter to win the set in clinical fashion.

Second Set
1-0 – van Gerwen takes out a 110 finish on double 16 to win the leg against the darts.
1-1 – A high-quality leg ses both players hit maximums before McDine takes out 76 in two darts, with his opponent waiting on 36.
1-2 – The third leg sees both players hit a 180 apiece before McDine hits double 12 for an 81 finish.
2-2 – van Gerwen hits a third maximum in as many legs, before levelling the set with a 15-darter.
2-3 – McDine hits another 180 only for van Gerwen to reply in kind, but the Geordie is first to a finish and hits double top at the first attempt to level the match.

Third Set
1-0 – van Gerwen starts the set in clinical fashion with a 12-darter, which featured scores of 177 and 180.
2-0 – The Dutch number one takes out a 118 finish on the bullseye to break McDine’s throw.
3-0 – van Gerwen fails with eight attempts to win the set, before hitting double five with his third dart.

Fourth Set
1-0 – van Gerwen fires in a 177 before hitting double ten to break throw in 13 darts.
2-0 – The Dutchman wins a fifth leg in a row thanks to an accurate attempt at double 16.
3-0 – van Gerwen records back-to-back 180s to ignite hopes of a nine-dart-finish, but it’s not to be as his attempt at a seventh treble 20 falls below the target, and though he initially misses three chances to win the set, McDine is unable to capitalise with five misses of his own to allow the number two seed back in on double one.

Fifth Set
0-1 – van Gerwen hits his tenth 180 before McDine replies with his fifth of the game, but one missed dart at the bullseye from the Dutchman proves costly as his opponent hits double top with his first dart, to win his first leg in seven.
0-2 – McDine hits double nine for an excellent 14-darter.
1-2 – van Gerwen holds throw by hitting double four.
2-2 – The Dutchman converts a clinical 98 finish to win the leg against the darts.
3-2 – McDine wastes two chances to win the set and keep the match alive, and is made to pay as van Gerwen takes out a 64 finish on double top to complete victory.

Michael van Gerwen continues to be supported to land the PDC World title and is now 8/5 having been installed at 7/2 prior to the tournament commencing.

Adrian Lewis, who has won the tournament twice, is currently 13/5 to add a hat-trick of wins whilst Simon Whitlock is on offer at 8/1.

Raymond van Barneveld can be backed at 14/1 whilst James Wade, who has been knocked out in the semi-finals for the past two years, can be backed at 25/1 to land the title.

Liam Glynn, PR Executive at Boylesports said “Following the shock exit of Phil Taylor, punters have latched onto Michael van Gerwen and he now is our worst result having been supported into 8/5 from 7/4 over the past 24 hours.”

He added “Adrian Lewis is also proving popular and is now 13/5 from 5/2 to land a third PDC World title.”

News of a fascinating new exhibition comes from O.B.S the broadcasting...

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